Latest New Mexico news, sports, business and entertainment

Posted: Aug 05, 2015 10:07 AM PST Updated: Aug 05, 2015 10:07 AM PST CONCERT DEATH-LAWSUIT Lawsuit filed in teen girl's death at Albuquerque concert SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A Santa Fe lawyer representing the estate of a 14-year-old girl who died after taking a hallucinogenic drug at a rave concert has filed a lawsuit alleging negligence against 10 defendants, including the state of New Mexico. The Albuquerque Journal reports the wrongful death complaint filed Monday seeks compensatory and punitive damages. Hannah Bruch ingested MDMA, also known as "Molly," before the August 2013 concert at Expo New Mexico and fell ill during the show. She was pronounced dead at a hospital. The lawsuit claims that security personnel and EMTs weren't prepared to handle the girl's condition and that medical personnel had failed to diagnose and treat Bruch. An Expo New Mexico spokeswoman released a statement saying security staff had taken the necessary measures to provide on-site medical attention. ALBUQUERQUE POLICE SHOOTINGS Lawyers press idea officers saw danger before shooting ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Defense lawyers for two Albuquerque officers continue to press witnesses about dangers their clients faced before they fatally shot a homeless man. Attorneys for Officer Dominique Perez and former Detective Keith Sandy are expected Wednesday to question witnesses at a preliminary hearing in Albuquerque about the scene for a 2014 standoff before the officers shot James Boyd. Both are facing murder charges. A judge will decide if they go to trial. Boyd, who had schizophrenia, was shot during a standoff as police accused him of camping illegally. Video of the shooting showed Boyd appearing to surrender before Perez and Sandy opened fire. Prosecutors say police escalated the standoff. More officers at the scene of the shooting are expected to testify Wednesday. DEMOCRAT CRITICIZED-GMAIL Auditor, state GOP disagree on transparency of Gmail account SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The state auditor is using a government email account to conduct business after the New Mexico Republican Party raised transparency concerns over his Gmail account. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports State Auditor Tim Keller set up the Gmail account to conduct government business shortly after his election. Spokeswoman Justine Freeman says the email was never for Keller's private use and was always considered public. GOP spokesman Patrick Garrett said it's hypocritical for Keller to advocate for government ethics while showing a disregard for transparent government. New Mexico Foundation for Open Government executive director Susan Boe says the Gmail account is not illegal if the emails can be made available through public records requests. METH TRAFFICKING SENTENCE Deming man gets federal prison term for meth trafficking LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - A Deming man has been sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking. Prosecutors say 38-year-old Ricardo Rodriguez-Magallanes received an 87-month prison sentence Tuesday in federal court in Las Cruces followed by two years of supervised release. Rodriguez-Magallanes was arrested and indicted in October 2012 for participating in a Deming-based methamphetamine trafficking ring. The indictment charged eight defendants with conspiracy to distribute meth in southern New Mexico communities including Deming, Las Cruces and Sunland Park between April 2012 and October 2012. Rodriguez-Magallanes was among six suspects arrested in the case. Two suspects who are Mexican nationals remain at large and are considered fugitives. Prosecutors say Rodriguez-Magallanes pleaded guilty in March 2013 to participation in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy and distribution of meth. NUKE REPOSITORY Calculation error prompts concern at nuke waste site CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) - The federal government's nuclear waste repository in southern New Mexico says a calculation error prompted short-lived concerns of a radiation release. Officials at the troubled Waste Isolation Pilot Plant activated their emergency operations center Sunday night in response to elevated radiological readings. The agency said that there was no indication of a radiation release underground or anything leaving the site. Plant workers were directed to shelter in place and people in the area were notified. Officials later said that multiple checks had shown no signs of contamination. "Radiological control technicians have determined a calculation error caused a false positive," the agency said in a press release. "Based on this information, the event has been terminated. There is no release." The plant has been closed since a February 2014 radiation release that stemmed from a chemical reaction among waste improperly packed inside a drum. STOLEN JEWELS-ARREST Former Ninja Warrior athlete arrests suspected jewel thief ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A man suspected of stealing $50,000 in jewels is in custody after being chased down by a Santa Fe Police sergeant and former American Ninja Warrior reality show competitor. KOB-TV reports Sgt. Paul Joyce responded to a call Saturday about a suspicious man in possession of a plastic bag of jewelry. The suspect ran, and Joyce says his experience on NBC's obstacle course competition was, if not an aid, certainly not a detriment to catching up with the man and arresting him. Santa Fe jewelry store owner Tom Broadley said that last month, a man walked into Earth Fire Gems Gallery, slid open an unlocked cage, and "brazenly" took about $50,000 in gold rings and star sapphires. Eduardo Romero is in custody at Santa Fe County Jail. CHILD SUPPORT New Mexico again offers amnesty for unpaid child support SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Gov. Susana Martinez's administration again is offering temporary amnesty for parents facing possible arrest for unpaid child support. The governor's office announced this week an enforcement crackdown will start at the end of the month targeting those who don't take advantage of the program. State officials say individuals can visit a state Child Support Enforcement Division office without fear of arrest and pay a bond to cancel outstanding bench warrants for not paying child support. Efforts will be made to negotiate a payment plan for those who can't afford the full bond. The amnesty runs through Aug. 31, but police will start a sweep for people with arrest warrants during the final week. A list of parents with outstanding bench warrants is posted on a state web site, (http://bit.ly/1zUrAQb). STEVE JOBS OPERA Santa Fe Opera to commission production on Steve Jobs SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The Santa Fe Opera is set to commission a production about Apple Computer co-founder Steve Jobs. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the Santa Fe Opera will announce Wednesday that its latest commission will be based on the technology pioneer. Opera leadership says "The Revolution of Steve Jobs" will premiere during the company's 2017 season and will be written by composer Mason Bates and librettist Mark Campbell. This will be the first opera produced by the Burlingame, California-based Bates, who rose to national prominence during the past decade by fusing traditional symphonic resources with electronic sounds. Armed with a laptop computer, he often performs in the presentation of his compositions. Campbell is well-known to opera lovers, having authored 15 librettos since the mid-1990s. Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.